Electrode holder for arc welding



Aug. 16, 1949. ouc s 2,479,127

ELECTRODE HOLDER FOR ARC WELDING Filed Aug. 7, 1946 INVENTOR. E I E Georye Laue/r5 8372M Mm.

Patented Aug. 16 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrode holders but particularly to electrode holders of the type in which the welding wire or rod is gripped between clamping jaws.

Most electrode holders or tongs of this type are provided with projecting arms, levers or handles or other protruding parts which are decidely objectionable particularly when the tongs are moved from place to place. This is ordinarily accomplished by pulling on the cable which is attached to the tongs with the tongs sliding along the floor or other supporting surface. These projecting arms catch in objects and are a definite source of annoyance.

Heretofore, most electrode holders of this type are equipped with springs which urge the electrode engaging jaws into clamping relation, but due to the exceedingly high temperatures generated during welding, these springs soon lose their temper, or for one reason or another become unsatisfactory and fail to perform their function.

An object of this invention is to overcome the above difficulties by producing a simple and efiicient electrode holder for arc welding which is so constructed and arranged that the exterior is free from projecting lever handles or the like, thereby enabling the tool to be slid from place to place without interference, the holder or tongs being free from springs, thereby obviating the difiiculty above mentioned.

Another object is to produce a new and improved electrode holder having a toggle action so that the clamping jaws are positively moved either to clamped or unclamped position and when in clamped position, an electrical contact having been automatically made for delivering current to the electrode.

A further object is to produce an electrode holder having the new and improved features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter more fully described, and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the electrode holder showing the clamping jaws in clamping position;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the electrode holder with the clamping jaws in open position and with the insulating sheath or covering shown in section;

Figure 3 is a side elevation similar to Figure 2, but showing the clamping jaws in closed position; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises an electrode holder having a lower arm 10, the end portion ll of which is inclined upwardly and is formed with an integral clamping jaw l2. Formed on the upper side of the arm extension ll about midway of the length thereof is a pair of brackets [3 between which is disposed a bracket I4 integral with the under side of a link arm 15 which is formed at its outer end with a jaw IE to cooperate with the jaw 12 for clamping therebetween an electrode E. The brackets l3 and M are pivotally connected by a pivot pin Ma. The rear end of the link arm [5 is downwardly inclined and is pivotally connected by a pin ll to an arm 18. Formed on the under side of the arm I8 is a bracket is which is pivotally connected to a bracket 20 by a pin 2 l, the bracket 20 rising from the upper side of the lower arm Ill.

The link arm l5 and arm l8 provide a pair of toggle links, and it will be manifest that by pressing the arms I0 and I8 together on the inner side of the pivot pin 2|, the jaw 36 will be positively moved into engagement with the jaw I2. In order to open the jaws, the arms l0 and 18 are engaged outwardly of or in advance of the pivot pin 2|, thereby to break the toggle and cause the jaw l6 to move away from the jaw 12 to the position shown in Figure 2. Thus the jaws are either in their'open position or in their closed position and are frictionally held in one position or the'other due to the toggle action.

The inner end of the arm l8 carries a fitting 22 which is secured thereto by bolt and nut assemblies 23, suitable insulating material 24 being interposed between the arm and the fitting electrically to insulate the fitting from the arm. A cable 25 is suitably connected to the fitting 22 for delivering current to a spring metal switch arm 26. The outer end of the switch arm 26 is engageable with a similar arm 21 which is secured by a bolt 28 to the inner end portion of the arm l0. As shown in Figure 3, the free ends of the switch arms 26 and 21 are brought into engagement when the clamping jaw l2 and I6 are in clamping position. As shown in Figure 2, when the jaws l2 and I6 are opened or separated from each other by breaking of the toggle, the switch arms are separated from each other so that current will not flow to the electrode.

The arms I0 and I8 are covered by telescoping fiber sheaths 29 and 30. The upper sheath 30 engages under a hook member 3| at its front end and is secured by a bolt 32 at the rear end engaging the fitting 22. The lower fiber sheath 29 is similarly connected to the arm Hi, the front end engaging under a hook 33 and the rear end being secured by a bolt 34. The telescoping sheaths 29 and 30 are of fiber, forming an efiective insulation and also providing a suitable gripping surface.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in details ofconstruction, arrangement and operation may be eiTected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrode holder for arc welding comprising a rigid metal arm having an electrcdeecngasing jaw at one end, a relativelyshort metal arm having at its outer end a jaw to cooperate with said first jaw, a pivotal mounting arranged intermediate the ends of; said short link arm and connecting same to said rigid arm, a second link arm pivoted to the inner end of said first link arm, a p v ta mounting arranged intermediate the ends of said second linkarm and connecting same to said rigid arm, whereby said link arms cooperate to form a toggle thereby positively to maintain the jaw in operative engaging position or in inoperative spreadeapart po ition, switch means for making and breaking a circuit upon m i and b eaking. the toggle respectively, a o at t outer end of said second link arm, a ho k n i ri id arm. correspondingly arr nged t said first link, a pair of. sheaths lat-shaped in cross section on; said second link arm and said rigid arm havingthe r miter ends engaging beneathsaid hooks respectively, andmeans ior securing the opposit end port-ions oi said; sheaths respectively, said sheaths bein Qt insulating material, in telescoping arrangement concealingsaid switch means and providing an operating hand hold.

n e e tr de h lder icrarc. welding omprising a rigid metal arm having; an electrode-engaging law at ne end, a relatively short metal link arm having atits outerend a jaw to cooperate wit the fi st ia a pi otal mountin arranged intermediate the ends oi said short link arm and connecting the same tosaid rigid arm, a second link arm having itsotlteli end pivotedtothe inner end of said first link arm, a pivotal mounting arranged intermediate tha ends of said second l nk a m an conn tin the sameto said rigid a mr hereby said links cooperate to f rm a l here y positively o maintain the jaws in 'thereof and disposed on the side thereof adjacent said second link arm, said spring metal switch arms being arranged to contact one another when said rigid metal arm and said second link arm are moved together for toggling said jaws into operative position, and insulating grips on said rigid metal arm and said second link arm.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2, said insulating grips comprising insulating sheaths substantially U-shap-ed in cross-section and respectively fitting over said rigid metal arm-and over the entire length of said second link arm whereby to shield said switch arms, the free edges of said sheaths telescoping with one another whereby to permit said rigid metal arm and said second link arm to close towards one-another.

GEORGE P. LOUCKS.

. appearances CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 7

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,340,270 Jahoda May 18,1920 1,438,497 Jones l e Dec. 12, 1922 2,128,799 Chapman u--- Aug, 30; 1938 2,179,497 Davitow Nov.1l4,'1939 2,236,849 Hackmeyer Apr; 1, 1941 2,265,135 Hackmeyer Dec- 9,1941

2,267,297 Campbell Dec. 23,1941 2,276,549 'Shellabargh Mar; 17, 1942 2,327,368 Olson Augfi24, 1943 2,389,559 Smith Nov. 203, 1945 2,405,406 Combridge Aug. 6,1946 2,407,836 Ketelbey et al Sept.'175, 1946 2,411,652 Garibay a- Nov.'26, 1 9 46 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 425,225 Great Britain Mar. 7 1935 

